Chapter 13
Kallen relaxed as Sir Griffith grinned at her words. They sounded ridiculous to her ears, but they came from the heart all the same. She took a step, but her knees gave way.
He caught her and held her close, his chin resting atop her head.
He began to speak, but Kallen didn’t hear his words.
The euphoria running through her made it impossible to concentrate on what the nobleman said.
It was as if God had picked her up and gently tossed her among the clouds, allowing her to float weightlessly above the earth.
Her pulse still raced; her body continued to tingle.
She never wanted these sensations to end.
“Kallen.”
His calling her name her brought her back down to earth.
“Hmm?”
“Kallen. Are you listening to me?”
She smiled lazily and sighed. “I am now.”
He brushed back the hair from her face. His hands rested on her shoulders. “You must return to your room.”
“No,” she said quietly. “I want to stay with you.”
He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “No, sweet Kallen. ’Tis late. You must sleep now. We will set out early on the road tomorrow. We have lost time due to our stop at Percival’s. We must make that up. Crispin is eager for your return.”
Kallen studied the aura that glowed about him.
The red wasn’t the deep red of anger but rather an orangish-red.
She’d never been exposed to this color dominating anyone before, but she guessed it had to do with passion.
She still felt the heat emanating from him, and her body responded.
It spoke to her as a woman, not the girl who had ventured from the convent.
Kallen placed a hand upon his muscled chest. His quick intake of breath let her know he was as affected by her as she was by him. He wrapped a hand about hers and held it there, even as his gaze held hers.
“I cannot explain to you why I kissed you, my lady. I apologize for—”
“No. Please. Do not ruin such a beautiful moment with apologies. I have been drawn toward you ever since you came to the convent. I knew not what it was at first, but now I do. I have feelings for you, Griffith Sommersby. I know not why nor where they will lead, but I enjoyed your kisses very, very much.”
He touched a hand to her cheek, his thumb tracing her lips. Kallen’s heart began to race in anticipation.
“And I am drawn to you, Kallen de Mangeron.” He bent and kissed her forehead gently. “My duty is to return you safely to Mangeron. Let me fulfill my charge to my friend, your uncle. Once there, I shall ask his permission to court you. We shall see then what our future holds.”
She frowned. “So, no more kisses until Uncle Crispin grants permission?”
He gazed at her sadly. “No, my sweet Kallen. I should return you to him as untouched as when I found you.”
Disappointment washed through her. She’d never been more alive than in these last few minutes. Mangeron seemed an eternity away.
“Would you... could you... give me one more kiss for good measure? Something to remember in the days to come?”
Griffith beamed at her. “My lady, your wish is my command.”
He took her in his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. Once more, she was lost in the magic of his kiss. It hurt her physically when he broke it and took her hand, leading her back to the bedchamber’s door.
Kallen touched her fingers to her own lips and then to Griffith’s before she opened the door and entered the room.
She closed it and leaned against it. The woman who exited this room hours before was not the same person who returned.
She wrapped her arms around herself, wondering how she had existed without Griffith’s kisses.
Kallen brought her fingers to her mouth and kissed the tips, knowing Griffith’s mouth had been there only moments before.
A single candle glowed next to the bed. Beside it sat an apple, plump and red. She remembered Lady Percival’s words from earlier and how she’d scoffed at them. So much had changed in the space of a few hours.
Kallen crossed the room and picked up the apple. She slid it under the pillow and undressed. As she climbed into bed and drew the curtains about her, she asked God to send her sweet dreams of Griffith Sommersby.
“It was a G!” she cried aloud. “For Griffith.”
She smiled and brought the bedcovers over her. Her hand rested under her pillow, clutching the apple.
Kallen awoke slowly. She stretched lazily, contentment washing over her.
She had dreamed of her true love, just as Lady Percival promised.
She removed the apple from its hiding place and wondered if she should follow custom and go outside to eat it.
She would appear foolish if caught, but she decided to chance it.
Quickly, she dressed and combed her hair, slipping the apple into her pocket. If anyone saw her, it would not be so obvious what she was up to.
As she left her chamber, all was quiet. She descended the stairs and tiptoed past the great hall, where many still slumbered after the night’s feasting.
She stepped out into a day that was still night.
Fog hovered about her and she hurried across the bailey toward the stables.
As she walked, she removed the apple from her pocket and bit into it.
The fruit was ripe and sweet. She chewed thoughtfully as she moved across the foggy yard, realizing that she felt no cold. ‘Twas Griffith’s heart that warmed her, and she welcomed the thought.
She entered the stables and found Carrie.
The horse was sleeping but awoke when Kallen called to her.
Kallen conveyed her new happiness through word pictures to the mare, who nickered softly in a show of support.
Then Carrie sent Kallen an image of Satan flirting with her, which caused Kallen to laugh.
“Mayhap we are both to be courted, Carrie.”
The mare nuzzled her hand. Kallen caught a picture of the four of them strolling along a country lane. Both couples looked happy.
“You’re a silly girl, Carrie.” She rubbed the horse’s velvet nose, hoping the mare’s wish for the both of them would come true.
Kallen floated from the stables, the apple core still in her hands.
“What brings you out so early, my lady?”
The voice frightened her, coming from the fog. She turned and saw Sir Rodger standing nearby. What upset her more was that no aura surrounded him. None at all. That never happened before, and especially since his aura had changed on her, Kallen didn’t know what to expect.
“I could not sleep, Sir Rodger,” she explained to the knight. “Mayhap ‘twas all the festivities. I am not used to such celebrating.”
He strode forth and stood in front of her. Still, no aura appeared. “Trying out tradition, my lady?”
She followed his glance and saw it rested on the apple core in her hand. “No,” she said quickly. “I thought to reward Carrie. She was so gentle and easy to ride on my first attempt. I cannot wait to ride her again today. I did not think ‘twould hurt to bribe her with a treat.”
The knight laughed. “You speak of her as if she were human.”
Kallen sensed the blush crawling up her neck. “I do think some animals are nicer than humans. I suppose that notion seems foolish to you.”
He took a step closer to her. Her heart pounded wildly. Her fear increased with his nearness, yet she had no reason to shy away from this man of Mangeron, knowing he was sworn to protect her.
“I rather think my horse far smarter than some of the men I’ve fought against,” he confided.
Kallen smiled weakly. The need to escape remained. “I shall bid you good day.”
She took a step away from him, but Sir Rodger took hold of her arm. She was unused to being touched by any man except for Griffith. The contact caused a strong dread to rise within her.
“’Tis very foggy, my lady. Allow me to escort you back to the keep. My liege lord would not want anything to happen to you.”
Her heart raced wildly. “All right,” she said softly.
Kallen’s mouth had gone dry. She forced her feet to move. This man had given her no reason to fear him. Far from it, he’d been quite the gentleman. But she did not relax the entire way back to the keep.